A long, long time ago … I can still remember how

That music used to make me stand.

And I knew if I had my chance,

That I would watch the Chiefs’ proud dance,

As he appeared at halftime with the band.

But February made me shiver,

Read the paper they’d deliver’d,

Bad news on the doorstep…

Chief couldn’t take one more step.

I still remember how I cried

When I read about our stolen pride

But something touched me deep inside,

The day the music died.

So … Bye, bye to Fighting Illini

Thought the trustees would stand firmly but the

trustees won’t try

The loyal fans of the Fighting Illini?

Singing this will be the day that I cry

this will be the day that I cry

Did you sing the three-in-one

Do you have faith that right was done

If the trustees tell you so

Do you believe that a halftime show

Can injure those vanished long ago

Or can it teach us what we once used to know

Well they know that you still love the Chief

But it still seems beyond their belief

You want to honor him

And by extension them!

The Chief will finally take the field

For one final prayer, then yield

Do you realize what is revealed

The day the music dies?

Soo..Bye, bye to Fighting Illini

Though the trustees could stand firmly no the trustees

won’t try

The loyal fans of the Fighting Illini?

Are singing, this will be the day that I cry

this will be the day that I cry

With respect to Don McLean’s “American Pie”, the “Three-in-One” and all Illini.

David Kirwan

University alumnus ’90